A Few Tips for Wheelchair Users

Remain In Touch
Several years ago, I received nursing services from a home
health agency, which provided me with an In Touch system.
An In Touch system, available online from Dynamic Living,
is an emergency response system that arranges calls to you
in your home up to four times a day to make sure you're
okay. First, a box with a direct line to the service is
installed in your home. Then you just wear a call button on
your body or wheelchair. If you press the button, a trained
attendant will answer and will be able to hear you from
anywhere in your home. Your emergency information will
automatically appear on his/her computer screen. For a
minimal fee, companion services are also available.

If you're in need of hearing a familiar voice, or needing
any kind of social service information, you're encouraged
to call in regularly. The price is a reasonable $55 per
month, with a one time set up fee of $50. Companion calls
cost an additional $15 to $36 a month, depending on the
amount of contacts per day.

Custom Comfort
Those of you with impaired mobility must take caution and
protect your skin against pressure sores. If you or your
partner is disabled and needs an especially firm or soft
mattress, I suggest getting an air mattress with dual
chambers. Each chamber can become firmer or softer at the
press of a switch, allowing the opposite chamber to remain
at the same pressure.

I bought one of these Comfortaire pillow mattresses and
absolutely love it! As I was browsing through their Web
site just a few minutes ago, I found an optional wave maker
massager for just $79. I must go now and add it to my list
for Santa. Prices on the mattresses range from $1,429 to
$1,969.

Flowing Like A River
If you can't reach the control knobs on your sink, or you
don't have a tight hand grip so you can turn them, I have
an answer! Dynamic Living has a faucet rod on its site,
which when pressed off-center, releases a free flow of
water. Once released, the water completely shuts off. The
water temperature is adjustable and will remain at your
desired temp. The device comes ready to assemble and fits
universal standard faucets. The price is a reasonable
$11.99.

Velcro Buttons
If you're able to use only one arm or hand, buttoning a
shirt or blouse may be a difficult if not impossible task.
I suggest you use Velcro instead of buttons. I found on the
Dynamic Living site some 2 x 2-inch pieces of Velcro with a
button sewn to them. You button the Velcro button through
the shirt's original buttonhole, then sew the Velcro in
place behind the button. Next, remove the shirt's original
button. In its place, sew on the matching piece of Velcro,
face up. Simply press the two pieces of Velcro together,
and consider yourself buttoned and sealed.

Eye Controlled Mouse
If you have no physical movement other than in your eyes,
you still have enough movement to work a computer. The
Quick Glance is a camera device that mounts onto your
computer and watches your eyes. As you move your eyes, the
mouse moves in exactly the same way. To click the mouse,
blink slowly. If you use this controller with an onscreen
keyboard, you'll be able to create synthesized speech,
access the Internet, control lights and appliances, and
operate a telephone. The price is $3,950.

Easy Reader
I do most of my work on the computer lying in bed on my
side. My computer sits on a portable table on wheels, which
is pushed up against my queen-size bed. Often, I find
myself straining to read the enormous amounts of text on my
computer screen. If you're unable to get yourself or your
chair close enough to your PC, download a free online
magnifier. This gem will magnify designated areas on your
screen up to 64 times!

Opening Sesame
For you hemiplegics out there, Dynamic Living has a
one-handed jar opener available that provides seven times
the power of the average hand to open a jar. When the jar
is pushed up, the suction is effortlessly broken. Jars with
lids from a half-inch up to four inches in diameter can be
opened. The opener mounts under a cabinet or shelf, and
costs no more than a top-of-the-line regular electric can
opener. (You could devise a mount for your counter top for
easier access.)

Elastic Shoelaces
If tying shoelaces is difficult for you, there's now no
need to stop wearing lace up shoes. Just purchase some
elastic shoelaces. These are designed to stretch as you
slip your foot in and out of your shoes. Once they're tied,
they stay put -- no more straggling laces. The laces are
only $5.99 for 3 pair.

If you still find it difficult to slip your foot into the
heel of your shoe, try a shoehorn. If leaning forward is
difficult for you, there are shoehorns available that come
with extension handles.

Voice-Activated Calling
If you're interested in getting voice-activated calling for
your phone, you'll be pleased to find out that the simple
system consists of a box that hooks up to your telephone.
The device allows up to 50 preprogrammed numbers to be
dialed via voice command, works on any standard telephone
or cell phone, and recognizes more than one voice.

If you're unable to reach the phone from your bed or
wheelchair, this device, available from Dynamic Living,
will allow you to speak the name of the person you wish to
call. The preprogrammed number will automatically dial and
connect you with your desired party.

Talking Pill Box
Most people who use a wheelchair as their mode of
transportation take prescription drugs for one reason or
another. As one of those pill poppers, I know how easy it
is to forget to take a dose of your medication.

If you don't always remember when it's time to take your
meds, then a talking pill box might suit you just fine. You
can preprogram it to alert the pill pusher up to four times
a day to take his/her pills. Set the alarm for beep, voice,
or a visual. Let this handy talking pill box remind you to
take your medications at the proper times. After all,
there's a reason we're on those pills! The Dynamic Living
price is an affordable $29.99.

Touch Screen Keyboard
A touch screen is a neat idea for anyone, but for the
dexterity-challenged person on wheels, or someone who uses
a mouth stick, that capability could mean the difference in
being able to communicate or not. An on screen keyboard
keeps the user from having to constantly look away from the
screen to the keyboard in order to press the keys. It will
also keep the mouth-stick user from getting a stiff neck
from looking down. Download a demo version from Enable Mart
(www.enablemart.com)
and see if the touch screen works for you.

Track Board
My fingers have contracted after nine years of paralysis,
so I find it easier to use a trackball mouse with my
computer. The problem is, when I type in my favorite
position, i.e., while lying on my side in bed, the
surrounding area gets cluttered up rather quickly. My
trackball is pretty big and takes up a lot of space all by
itself. In addition to my keyboard and mouse, I also have a
speakerphone, caller ID, two television remotes, a remote
switch for the light, and a remote switch for the front
door right beside me.

If you're empathizing with me, you too may need as much
space as possible for all your communications stuff. One
suggestion: Buy a keyboard with a built-in trackball mouse.
I found one online at the Desktop Products site (link
below). Having the mouse built in leaves you a lot more
space for your other electronic knick-knacks than a regular
trackball.

Tip From A Loyal ReaderThis tip from a loyal reader comes from Jen S. Jen writes:
"If you have to drink lots of water for your kidneys' sake,
like I do, this may come in handy. Take the empty 12 oz.
bottles that soft drinks come in and fill them about
halfway with water. Put the bottles in the freezer, with
the caps off. Then when you want ice water, fill the bottle
the rest of the way with water. As the ice melts, it makes
the water cold! I keep several on hand in the freezer door.

"The hot water they're washed in does do these bottles in
after a while. So, if I know someone that drinks that size
bottles of soda, I ask him/her to save a few for me. If you
have trouble drinking from this type of bottle, you can get
the bottle squirters that you pull the top and drink from.
I have seen these in stores like WalMart, usually sold in
packages of four."

Thanks, Jen!

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Magic Cursor
If you have weak fingers, clicking the button on your mouse
is probably difficult for you. Fortunately, somebody
decided to do away with this dilemma by inventing The Magic
Mouse 2000. This wonderful computer critter performs all of
the other mouse functions, and held over a selected item
for a specified period of time, lets the click take care of
itself. To learn about pricing, call Madentec at
1+877-623-3682. An online demo is also available for you to
download (link below)

Independent Living Centers
Independent Living Centers are located in most major cities
throughout the United States. These not-for-profit
organizations are designed to integrate people with
disabilities into the community and allow them to live as
independently as possible. I utilize my local center
regularly through their PCA (Personal Care Attendant)
program. People who are looking to help those with
disabilities are interviewed and added to a registry. When
someone such as myself is in need of attendant care, s/he
can call and get a list of phone numbers of those in the
registry.

In order to register for this great program, I had to go to
the center and sign up. The simple sign-up process
consisted of filling out a form with the coordinator of
this particular program. On the form, I provided a
description of my needs. This way, the person seeking
employment can get a better understanding as to what will
be expected of him/her as far as job duties go.

Camera Mounting System
This camera mounting system allows wheelchair users to take
pictures without holding the camera. The adjustable arm
attaches easily to a wheelchair or table giving the
photographer a steady and even shot. The one I found online
is from Orcca Tehcnology (link below), is compatible with
the adapted Polaroid Impulse Camera, and sells for $100.
This would make a wonderful gift for the holidays, which
are just around the corner.

Sticky Keys
If you type one handed like I do, it's next to impossible
to perform certain functions, such as simultaneously
pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del. Using the Window's Sticky Key
feature will eliminate this problem. This feature allows
users to press a key and then release it, and then press
the other key or keys without having to press and hold all
simultaneously. This feature is found under the
Accessibility Option on your Windows Control Panel.
Macintosh users may turn on Sticky Keys by pressing the
Shift button five times or via the Easy Access Control
Panel.

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Temperature Too High?
My former home, where I lived before moving into my current
residence, was somewhat wheelchair accessible -- but not
completely. For example, the thermostat was too high for me
to reach, or read the number it was set on, or read the
room temperature. I decided that a talking thermometer was
exactly what I needed. Fortunately, I found one online
which I can program to announce the indoor and outdoor
temperatures at preset times throughout the day. You can
choose to have the temps in either Celsius or Fahrenheit
readings. The thermostat features an LCD temperature
reading as well, and a button to press when you want to
know the current temperature. The price is $19.99.

It's About Time
Several months after my paralyzing diving injury, I moved
into an assisted living facility. My mother gave me a clock
that audibly stated the time every hour on the hour. On its
base was a large glow-in-the-dark button. When tapped
lightly, the clock again announced the time. An audible
clock comes in very handy if you're unable to see the clock
face and if you always want to know the time.

I found a similar clock to the one my mother gave me online
from Dynamic Living. It sells for just $14.99.